Latching means for removable crank case covers



June 2, 1931. A? EKLUND 1,808,403

LATCHING MEANS FOR REMOVABLE CRANK CASE COVERS Filed April 19, 1928 Patented June 2, 1931 UNITED TES AXEL A. EKLU'ND, OF IJIOUNT VERNON, WASHINGTON LATCHING MEANS FOR REMOVABLE CRANK CASE COVERS Application filed April 19,

The crank case of internal combustion engines, particularly such as designed for motor vehicles, is generally provided with an opening, one or more, which is closed by l a pan, or other form of cover, secured by a plurality of bolts. To remove and replace this cover necessitates the displacement and the readjustment of a number of bolts which is both tedious and time consuming.

The present invention has for its primary object to facilitate the removal and replacement of the cover and obviate the use of bolts, thereby removing the chief source of vexation incident to such work because 15 of the time required and the chances for misplacement and loss of the fastenings when detached from the crank case and cover. 7

WVhile the drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be un derstood that in adapting the means to meet specific needs and requirements, the design may be varied and such other changes in the minor details of construction may be 25 resorted to within the scope of the invention as claimed, without departing from the spirit thereof.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof, reference is to be had to the following description and the drawings hereto attached, in which- Figure 1 is a top plan view of a crank case pan or cover, provided with fastening means embodying the invention, showing the same applied to a crank case, a portion of which is shown.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of one of the latches.

Corresponding and like parts are ferred to in the following description designated in the several views of drawings by like reference characters.

The numeral 1 denotes the bottom portion of a crank case in which is formed the usual opening through which access is had for any purpose. The numeral 2 designates a pan, plate, or other usual form of cover for the opening, The present invenreand the 1928. Serial No. 271,285.

'tion relates to the fastening means whereby the pan or cover 2 is readily detachable and firmly secured.

A boss 3 is formed upon the topside of "the pan or cover 2 in line with an opening formed therein. A guard at is formed upon the "bottom side of the-cover 2 in line with the boss 3 and hasa plu-ra'lityof notches in itsedge. A spindle 6 is mounted in the boss '3 and its end portionsare of angular formation. A packing? is confined within the guard A by means of a nut 'S whic'his threaded in said guard. The packing 7 insures a tight joint between the spindle 6 and the cover 2. An actuator 9 is secured" upon 'the upper angular end of the spindle '6 so as to turn' therewith The lower angular-end of the spindle 6 is adapted to receive a socket wrench or other device that may be employed for turning the spindle to project the latch elements into -or withdraw them from Operative position.

A cotter pin 10 is adapted to be passed through an opening formed in the lower end of the spindle and engage notches 5 of the guard' to hold the spindle yandla'tch elements in the required adjusted position. The numeral 11 denotes latch elements disposed at the sides of the pan or cover 2, it being observed- "that .therermay "be as many latch elements at each of the'sides as found necessary :according to the size of the cover. A strip 12 is secured .to the topside of the pan or cover adjacent each of its edges, and is of a depth to admit of the latch elements 11 which are pivoted thereto engaging the top side of the crank case 1 adjacent the opening formed therein. The

free ends of the latchelements 11 are beveled upon the bottom side,--as indicated most clearlyin Figure .3 of the drawings to ride upon the bottom of the crank case and draw the pan or cover in close contact therewithrto insure a' tight joint. A bar 13 connects the free ends of the latches 11 at the respective sides of the pan or cover 2 to insure simultaneous movement of the latches. A link 14 connects each of the bars 13 with the actuator 9, the partsbeing so proportioned that all the latches 11 receive a like movement. For convenience the actuator 9 is of the form of a cross, each of the arms having a link 14 pivoted thereto.

The actuator 9 may be turned to position.

the bars 13 and latches 11 so that they will clear the opening formed in the bottom 1 of the crank case and admit of removal or replacement of the pan or cover 2, as required. When placing the cover 2 in position the usual gasket 15 is positioned thereon to come between the edge portion of the cover and the marginal portion of the crank case bottom borderingij upon the opening therein. When the pan or cover 2 is properly positioned the spindle 6 is rotated to project the latches 11 into engagement with the top side of the crank case bottom, and the beveled ends of the latches riding upon the crank case draw the cover into place and compress the gasket 15 to insure a tight joint. After the parts have been properly adjusted and tightened the cotter pin 10 is passed through the spindle and engaged with opposite notches 5 of the guard 4, thereby securing the parts against accidental displacement. 7

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. A readily removableand replaceable crank case cover having an opening and an 1ntegral boss and guard upon opposlte sides 1n l1ne wlth the openlng, the edge of the guard being provided with a plurality of notches, a spindle mounted in the boss and extending through the guard and formed with an opening to receive a cotter pin wlnch 1s engageable with selected notches of the guard to secure the spindle in an adjusted position, and latch means on the cover connected with the spindle to be operated thereby.-

2. A readily removable and replaceable v crank case cover having an opening and an integral boss and guard upon opposite sides in line with the opening, a spindle mounted in the boss and passing through the guard, packing within the guard, a pin engageable with the spindle and guard to secure the spindle in' adjusted position,

strips adjacent the edges of the cover,

latches pivoted to the strips, a bar connecting the latches at each side of the cover, and links connecting the bars with the spindle to admit of simultaneous operation of the latches.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature. V

AXEL A. EKLUND. [L. [5;] 

